Great Barrier Reef Restaurants

Typically, restaurants on Barrier Reef islands are part of each island's main resort, so many resorts' rates include some or all meals. Some larger resorts have a range of restaurants, with formal dining rooms, outdoor barbecues, and seafood buffets; some have premium dining options for which you pay extra. Dress is generally "island casual." Some upscale restaurants—such as those on Hayman Island—require men to wear jackets for dinner and frown on flip-flop sandals. On the mainland you'll find plenty of casual, open-air restaurants, serving mainly Modern Australian–style meals that showcase seafood and regional produce. With a few notable exceptions, Cairns, Palm Cove, and Port Douglas are your best bets for upscale dining.

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  • 1. A Touch of Salt

    $$

    This Modern Australian eatery fits the bill: location (riverfront), service (impeccable), ambience (relaxed), food (exciting and flavorful), and wine (top-flight). The menu is a carefully curated collection of local meat, seafood, and vegetable creations, with something to suit every palate, including a comprehensive "plant-based" section to the menu.

    86 Ogden St., Townsville, Queensland, 4810, Australia
    07-4724–4441

    Known For

    • Perfect pick for date night
    • Expansive waterfront deck
    • Excellent, largely Australian wine list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Sat.–Thurs.
  • 2. NuNu Restaurant

    $$$

    Sexy suede lounges, intimate banquettes, and unbroken views of the Coral Sea make lingering easy at this Palm Cove eatery with the region's best and freshest produce. Select from small plates or larger share portions, which include the likes of kimchi butter-poached reef fish, sugarcane-smoked duck, and Sichuan eggplant.

    1 Veivers Rd., Palm Cove, Queensland, 4879, Australia
    07-4059–1880

    Known For

    • Butter-poached reef fish
    • Asian fusion cuisine
    • Duck rice

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 3. Salsa Bar & Grill

    $$

    Rub shoulders with local foodies and enjoy intimate dining after sunset on the large wooden deck of this lively waterside institution that serves tropical Modern Australian fare. The dinner menu offers something for everyone, from kingfish ceviche to herb-crusted wild barramundi, to a seafood laksa that utilizes plenty of the local produce.

    26 Wharf St., Port Douglas, Queensland, 4877, Australia
    07-4099–4922

    Known For

    • Great waterfront location
    • Creative cocktail menu
    • Linguine pepperincino with local red claw crayfish

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed., Reservations essential
  • 4. Whet Cafe, Bar and Restaurant

    $

    Stylish and hip yet comfortable, Whet Cafe, Bar and Restaurant draws visitors and locals with its outdoor deck, perfect for long lunches, sunset cocktails, and romantic dinners. It has Modern Australian food using regional and seasonal ingredients and friendly service, and is a fully self-sustained, off-grid operation.

    Cape Tribulation Rd., Cape Tribulation, Queensland, 4873, Australia
    07-4098–0007

    Known For

    • Jungle dining
    • Local seafood with Mediterranean influences
    • Melt-in-your-mouth steaks and local-caught barramundi
  • 5. Bommie Restaurant

    $$$

    With sail-shaped tables, chic Eames chairs, and marina views, Bommie has a sophisticated, upmarket ambience perfect for a special celebration. It's the ideal setting for fine Modern Australian cuisine, and the chef's daily tasting menus dazzle the tastebuds.

    Front St., Hamilton Island, Queensland, 4803, Australia
    07-4948–9433

    Known For

    • <PRO>high-end fine dining</PRO>
    • <PRO>great location</PRO>
    • <PRO>dining on the deck (book well ahead)</PRO>

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch. Closed Sun. and Mon.
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  • 6. JAM Corner

    $$

    This fine-dining restaurant sources terrific organic and tropical produce for its Modern Australian menus, which change seasonally, but always feature fresh seafood and premium Australian meats in artful, beautifully balanced dishes, with fine antipodean wines to complement them. For special occasions, there's a luxurious, chandelier-lighted private dining room.  Reservations aren't essential, but it's a smart idea to book ahead.

    1 Palmer St., South Townsville, Queensland, 4810, Australia
    07-4721–4900

    Known For

    • One of the fancier restaurants in town
    • Affordable, pared-back lunch menu
    • Great wine list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 7. Northerlies Bar and Grill

    $

    Overlooking a tranquil bay just outside of Airlie Beach, Northerlies has become a local favorite. A farm-to-table ethos shapes the menu, so expect fresh-from-the-boat seafood, single-farm origin steaks, and house-smoked meats paired with local produce.

    Pringle Rd., Queensland, 4802, Australia
    1800-682--277

    Known For

    • Aged bone-in rib eye
    • Quiet, waterfront location with alfresco dining
    • Shuttle service to and from Airlie Beach
  • 8. On The Turps Bar & Restaurant

    $

    At this open-air restaurant in the Daintree rain forest, wallabies, bandicoots, and musky rat kangaroos might join you at the table as you tuck into a Mod Oz meal that highlights local, seasonal ingredients including fresh seafood, and wines from the well-stocked bar. On The Turps also does "tropical continental" breakfasts and varied, good-value lunches, as well as leisurely morning and afternoon Devonshire teas.  Arrive early for a dip in the creek, a rain forest stroll, or a spa treatment.

    Turpentine Rd., Cape Tribulation, Queensland, 4873, Australia
    07-4098–9321

    Known For

    • Delicious local barramundi
    • Home-style cooking
    • Good range of vegetarian and vegan meals
  • 9. Perrotta's at the Gallery

    $ | CBD

    This outdoor café and wine bar at Cairns Art Gallery serves sumptuous breakfasts as well as lunch and dinner. Lunch fare features a signature duck salad, gourmet sandwiches, and heartier meals, while dinner options include Italian and Modern Australian dishes: antipasto, pasta, and pizza.

    38 Abbott St., Cairns, Queensland, 4870, Australia
    07-4031–5899

    Known For

    • Central location
    • Road menu
    • Smoothies
  • 10. Salt House

    $$ | CBD

    Blessed with mountain and ocean views and located in prime position at the Cairns Marina, Salt House serves Modern Australian fare in casual chic environs. A carefully considered menu includes plenty of local seafood, as well as a mouthwatering selection of local cuts of meat cooked on the custom Argentinian grill.

    6/2 Pierpoint Rd., Cairns, Queensland, 4870, Australia
    07-4041–7733

    Known For

    • Excellent wine list
    • Local seafood
    • Stunning waterside location

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 11. Vivo

    $

    Enjoy Coral Sea views framed by palms and melaleucas along with Mod Oz dishes at this classy beachside eatery. Diners come for the mix of Southeast Asian and Australian breakfast favorites; the duck salad and battered coral trout at lunch; and seafood with seasonal produce at dinner.

    49 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove, Queensland, 4879, Australia
    07-4059–0944

    Known For

    • A popular spot for city-strong coffee, and cocktails
    • Open kitchen
    • Relaxed beachside destination
  • 12. Watergate Restaurant & Lounge Bar

    $$

    Atmospheric indoor-outdoor dining, attentive service, and a well-stocked bar are nice, but the primary draw at this relaxed restaurant is the food, which highlights the freshest local ingredients. Enjoy reef fish and prawns straight off Port Douglas's fishing boats, and seasonal fruit, vegetables, and herbs from the Atherton Tableland.

    5/31 Macrossan St., Port Douglas, Queensland, 4877, Australia
    07-4099–5544

    Known For

    • Friendly, warm service
    • Kangaroo loin
    • To-die-for dessert menu

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